Famous economist makes minimum wage-early election claim: 'Erdoğan’s aides are calculating this...'

Following the March 31 Local Elections, AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and CHP leader Özgür Özel met for the second time.

It was alleged that during the meeting, where the economic situation was also discussed, Erdoğan responded to Özel’s demand to “increase the minimum wage and pensions” by saying “there is no money in the treasury.”

Economist Evren Devrim Zelyut provided an assessment regarding the period of softening/normalization in politics that began with the two leaders' meetings.

“A SMALL RAISE MAY COME”

Evren Devrim Zelyut, in an assessment made using a chain analogy, stated that “a small raise may come” to the minimum wage.

The famous economist stated that if the raise does not come, Turkey will head toward an early election process.

Speaking to Sorel Dağıstanlı on Halk TV, Zelyut said the following:

“Let’s build a political chain. If these raises are not made, Mr. Özgür says ‘I will take to the streets.’ He had stated a condition. He said if a demand for an early election comes from the public, if the public forces me, I will enter the game at that point. When he takes to the streets, won't there be a demand from the public to ‘go out and finish this job’? When it comes, he will say to the ruling party, ‘Come on, let’s hold an early election.’ And Mr. Tayyip will take it to an early election.

No, such a thing won't happen. Mr. Tayyip will resist early election calls as much as he can. However, there is such a situation. After the summer effect and base effect of autumn inflation pass… Look, I am going to say something annoying on a holiday, but this autumn and winter will be worse than past autumns and winters. Your purchasing power is falling with taxes and price hikes. And prices will not easily enter deflation and will continue to go up at full speed.”

‘MR. TAYYİP’S AIDES ARE CALCULATING THIS’

“We see that the government is not taking structural measures in 2 areas, agriculture and industry, to increase the quantity of goods, make companies efficient, and lower the general price level in order to reduce inflation and prices. This business does not work with interest rate hikes. Naturally, sooner or later, with these pressures, it may head toward an early election.

Aren’t Mr. Tayyip’s aides calculating this? Of course, they are calculating this political chain we are talking about. In this context, perhaps a small interim raise may come, saying ‘look, you asked for it, there is also normalization, so we did it.’ If it doesn't come, I see Turkey heading toward an early election process.”